Planning for living organ donation

If you are exploring living organ donation, here are some additional considerations.

As I consider donating, what key questions could I ask?

What are the risks and benefits of living kidney donation for a recipient?
Can I get evaluated at more than one transplant center?
What should I do if I feel pressured to donate?
After surgery, will I need a caregiver? If so, what will they need to do for me and how long will I need care?
What will recovery from surgery be like? How is my pain treated?
How soon after donation can I go back to work?
What financial resources are available to cover the non-medical costs of my donation?

It is a transplant center’s responsibility to make sure that potential donors:

Here are some questions you can ask to understand how a transplant center will support you emotionally before and after surgery:

During evaluation, what questions or tests do you do around my mental health?

Could my mental health history or treatment prevent me from donating?

Who should I talk with if I am feeling worried or uncertain about donating?

What should I do if I change my mind about donating before surgery?
What feelings are common for donors after donating an organ?

What mental health support do you offer donors after surgery?

What support do you offer donors if their recipient has problems after surgery?

What follow-up care do you recommend for my mental health?
How might donating affect my relationships with family or the recipient?

What mental health challenges do donors commonly feel when returning to work or normal life?

How can I prepare my family for the emotional aspects of donation?
If I decide not to donate, how is this information shared with the recipient?

How will you help me if I feel pressured by family or the recipient?

What happens if evaluation suggests I'm not ready to donate?

Progress through living kidney donor education